In a cutting-edge lab at Boston University’s College of Engineering, a robotic arm skillfully places small, plastic objects into a box on the floor, demonstrating precision and control. These lightweight cylindrical pieces, no larger than an inch tall, come in a variety of vibrant colors – red, others blue, purple, green, or black – filling the box one by one.
Each object represents a significant milestone in the robot’s quest for autonomy and efficiency. As it learns and evolves, the robot is searching for, and trying to make, an object with the most efficient energy-absorbing shape to ever exist.
Boston College’s autonomous AI robot, MAMA BEAR, has achieved a breakthrough after 25,000 attempts, identifying the world’s most impact-resistant shape. MAMA BEAR, or Mechanics of Additively Manufactured Architectures Bayesian Experimental Autonomous Researcher, 3D prints small structures and assesses their energy absorption by crushing them in a hydraulic press.
It meticulously records the results in a database, noting design flaws and improvements before making slight modifications and 3D printing the next iteration. This process has been ongoing for the past three years, totaling over 250,000 tests.
MAMA BEAR has achieved an unprecedented 75% energy absorption efficiency, surpassing the previous record of 71%. The innovative design, resembling a twisted flower, was conceived by Keith Brown and his team in the KABlab. This groundbreaking robot, developed in just three years, is a testament to the team’s dedication and expertise in mechanical engineering.
The robot crushes its creations “under a pressure equivalent to an adult Arabian horse standing on a quarter.” The median weight of an adult Arabian horse is roughly 880 lb (400 kg), and a US quarter is 0.955 inches (24 mm) around. This translates to around 1,253 psi (86 bar).
Boston College is working on creating an efficient mechanical energy-absorbing structure with the involvement of the National Science Foundation and the US Army. This development could have significant implications, especially in enhancing helmet padding for battlefield soldiers, where a 4% increase in energy absorption efficiency could be life-saving.
The potential uses for this innovative design are numerous, ranging from new packing materials to enhanced vehicle bumper designs and protective athletic gear. The challenge lies in achieving a delicate balance between creating a structure that is not too rigid to cause damage yet strong enough to absorb impact.
With over a trillion possible designs and a variety of materials to explore, the potential for MAMA BEAR’s advancements is vast. Boston University has already experimented with TPE, TPU-1, 2, and 3, nylon, PETG, and PLA, and we eagerly anticipate further progress in MAMA BEAR’s pursuit of perfection.
